Harley Davidson

﻿1. As CEO of Harley-Davidson I would compare the advantages and disadvantages of using exporting for example giving the market access into a new marking, making us able to maximize revenue in a short amount of time. A disadvantage would be being viewed as an outsider making it harder for people to feel comfortable with the product. Joint ventures agree too much faster and less costly access to foreign markets. It also decreases the start up cost to the international partner. A disadvantage of a joint venture is that due to different cultures there might be some conflict in management due to diverse people with various beliefs and experiences. Foreign subsidiaries an operation completely owned by a foreign firm. An advantage would be allowing full control over management procedures. The downside would be to require more of an investment and commitment. 2. I believe that the new positioning will be successful in the foreign countries but with the right approach. The reason I say approach is because Harley-Davidson is going to have to study the cultural differences. They must be willing to respect each culture and use the differences in their advantage. They must look for ways to transition from loose to tight cultures, in order for this they need to be informed of the host country's political stability, and look for ways to enlarge the local job market, and develop the local resources that is associated within that country. 3. The general environment conditions that need to be analyzed before Harley makes strategic investments in each country are economic conditions, legal conditions, and technological and sociocultural conditions. Concerns for economic conditions might influence customer spending, resource supplies. Legal conditions vary from one country to the next. Technological conditions can have its pros and cons. Yes, social networking brings more business and people with experience, but are they spending too much time on that then on their work....

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...﻿HarleyDavidson Motor Company
Chad D. Schisler
National University
Author Note
[Include any grant/funding information and a complete correspondence address.]
Abstract
Brief History
The HarleyDavidson Motor Company has been in the motorcycle industry for almost a hundred years and has been indicted as one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world. Historically, the motor business of the HarleyDavidson started in the early 1900’s where William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson developed a motor bike. In 1903, the first bike by Harley and Davidson was made and was available to the public. The motor bike had 3-1/8 inch bore and 3 ½ inch stroke which were created for racing purposes. The first bike that was manufactured by Harley and Davidson was done inside a wooden shed which had 10 x 15- foot wood frame and had writings in the door that said “HarleyDavidson Motor CO”. Throughout the decades of developing motorcycles, HarleyDavidson Motor Company has had success in making quality motor bikes that have been used by millions of people from all around the world (HarleyDavidson, 2014).
Organization’s Scope of Management
HarleyDavidson Motors employs a management team that consists of...

...MGT499: Strategic Management
Professor Daniel Corcoran
November 30, 2014
STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF HARLEYDAVIDSON
The success of HarleyDavidson (HD) is due to the American motorcycle icon’s effective Strategic Management. HD’s vision, mission, goals and objectives strive to exceed the requirements of its main stakeholders. Although these needs are not always met, the company has unique relationships with is stakeholders. The company stays on course with its strategic plan, despite the economy and the decline of American manufacturing and what might be considered its dwindling U.S. consumer base.
Stakeholders “represent very important constituencies or groups of individuals who are part of an organization or associated with an organization.” (Module 01, 2013) HD’s main stakeholders are its employees, customers and shareholders. Each stakeholder has its own motives for being involved with the organization. Normally these motives result in common goals and objectives.
Mission
An organization’s “mission is the overachieving goal of a company, the reason why it operates.” (Module 01, 2013). Harley Davidson’s mission statement is “We ride with our customers and apply this deep connection in every market we serve to create superior value for all of our stakeholders” (HarleyDavidson, 2012. p. 2). This mission statement places the needs of...

...I) Problem/Issue Statement:
HarleyDavidson, a highly distinctive motorcycle company whose success was built on its brand image, may have reached the pinnacle of its growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The combined effects of a market focus on a narrowing demographic group, the difficulty experienced in gaining market share in Europe, and short-term forecasting problems led to the concern of the company’s future.
II) Alternatives:
a) Status-quo
b) Focus on building the Buell name brand
c) Market the HarleyDavidson image to foreign nations (e.g. discovery channel)
III) Analysis:
a) Status-quo
HarleyDavidson motorcycles focused a specific segment of the bike industry. Through this focus, Harley dominated the U.S. motorcycle industry. The type of bikes Harley had produced was custom bikes – custom bikes were the largest segment on the U.S. heavy weight market for motorcycles and had become the curiosity for non-cyclists in the United States. Between 1198 thru 2002 the custom motorcycle segment accounted for over 50% of the total heavy weight motorcycle market. The current strategy had proven to be a winning direction for the U.S. based corporation. In the heavy weight segment of the motorcycle industry, Harley dominated the market with approximately 50% of the market share in the U.S. from 1998 to 2003. However,...

...complementary views of operations strategy:
The resource view of operations comprises 4 key questions:
• Sizing –Due to the volatility and cyclical motorcycle business, Harley-Davidson attempts to expand capacity without taking on further debt. Thus, it would expand capacity first through internal process improvements and restructuring, and externally only if needed.
• Timing – In 1992, production capacity was increased from 75,000 to 100,000 after an internal expansion project. In 1995, a further capacity expansion was planned in response to the growing motorcycle market.
• Type – Harley-Davidson has plants capable of producing the entry-level Sportster model as well as the heavier models. Due to Employee Involvement and Statistical Operator Control, the labour force is well-trained to measure the quality of their own output and thus assure quality throughout the process. Employee and union involvement is deeply rooted in the corporate culture.
• Location – Harley-Davidson operates two main facilities: The Capitol Drive plant produces engines and transmissions while the York plant performs all final assembly. Management is reluctant to construct new greenfield plants due to high risk.
The process view of operations comprises 4 key questions:
• Supply – Due to strong nationalistic roots, Harley-Davidson outsources very few of its components and produces...

...﻿
Trident University
Module 3- Case Assignment
MGT499
Dr. David Pritchard
June 13, 2015
Harley-Davidson has many opportunities for moving forward in a competitive environment. However, H-D faces many threats in the environment. The alliance between Harley and Lehman Trikes presented an opportunity for both organizations.
Opportunities
• Large India market for H-D is virtually untapped (only 6% of population have motorcycles)
• Manufacture street bikes in India with low price range (aiming for young audience)
• Considering entry into the 250-300cc bike segment
• Bikes predicted to reach more than 20 million in India by 2020
• In India, availability of loans to consumers is easy
• Competition is at the peak and markets are getting saturated
• New growth avenues in India’s regions
• High research and development that facilitates innovation and attracts industry attention
• Continuous focus on new product development to support innovation (Globaldata, 2012)
Threats
• Depends on a single supplier for some but not all raw materials (dependent on the supplier to deliver materials in time)
• Rising input costs has a major impact on the operational costs
• Increasing pressure on the costs of commodities leads to capacity constraints, lower production, and financial distress to raw material suppliers
• Delay in receiving raw materials affects product delivery to customers, which impacts...

...﻿
Business Analysis of HarleyDavidson Motor Company
MGT/521
October 8, 2012
A comparison of two direct competitors in the motorcycle market, HarleyDavidson (a fortune 500 company) and Honda, a producer of cars and motorized vehicles, reveals through the analysis of the businesses that investment into HarleyDavidson would benefit the investing person or group. The American company, based out of Milwaukee Wisconsin raised its profits by 44% to $170.2 million in the first quarter of 2012. The company itself has a large network comprised of franchised dealerships that total 1,468 across US, Canada, Asia Pacific, Latin America as well as the EMEA. (Zacks, 2012)
Through SWOT analysis of both HarleyDavidson and Honda, it shows investors that the opportunities and strengths of HD outweigh those of Honda. In contrast the threats and weaknesses of Honda outweigh those of HD. Given that HarleyDavidson is the leading in the industry not only in the US but also across the globe, the potential opportunities to grow, profit and expand out number its competition in Honda.
HarleyDavidson SWOT-
Strengths:
Innovation in product
Technology in repair and production
Strong brand recognition (#45 in top 500 of most recognizable brands worldwide)
Strong market financial position
Pricing
HD owns...

...you reached.
INTRODUCTION
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is a U.S. based motorcycle manufacturer which was founded in 1903 and still remain one of the best American companies. Over the years, Harley-Davidson has adopted different strategies to promote their products in order to maintain its profitability and presence in the U.S. and International market. This paper will include the internal analysis identifying the company strengths and weaknesses and my personal impression is the company will be able to continue to be competitive and able to fulfil its mission.
THREE MAJOR STRENGTHS THAT CONTRIBUTE THE COMPANY TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING AND SALES ENVIRONMENT
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is a recognized brand legend, not just in the United States but all over the world, representing value, great designs, strong performance, durability, exclusivity and great customer service. Harley-Davidson has been in business since 1903 and has endured the constant market changes and customers' demands for new products. The President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Mr. Jim Zeiner, in 2005 have expressed the main reason of the company success: "A strong emotional tug draws people to Harley-Davidson. Emotions play a huge role in every customer relationship". Mr. Zeiner believed that "Our sense of purpose-in other...

...“Strategic planning involves identifying the current business of a firm and the business it wants for the future, and the course of action or strategy it will use to pursue its objectives.” (definition)
While Harley-Davidson and its competitors, both domestic and international, have been alive for decades, it is becoming increasingly difficult to shift such established entities to compliment a new, younger group of potential riders. An expanding economy, technological advances such as the internet and online retail, liquidity and market demands have all contributed to the stability of profits in this business. Competition changed the fundamental landscape of the motorcycle industry forever. Several factors including the necessity to compete and evolve, a more streamlined manufacturing process, new management and a wealth of demographic and retail analysis information have enabled the industry to obtain and attain a rapidly growing portion of the population.
Harley-Davidson has always been the leader in heavy-weight, classic cruisers with their rumbling motors and definitive styling. Owners adhere more to the lifestyle and freedom of the bikes, rather than utility and dependability. Harleys generally come with a spirit and attitude of genuine America and an institution that is hailed as an iconic model of pre-industrial America. Riders will agree that the feeling is almost religious and...